Independence Hall in Philadelphia remains closed to visitors as part of the federal government shutdown.(Photo: Douglas Bovitt, Courier-Post)

Written by

Catalina Camia
USA Today

A deadly shooting near the U.S. Capitol on Thursday jolted lawmakers in Congress and temporarily diverted their attention away from the federal government shutdown. What you need to know as the shutdown enters Day 4 on Friday, Oct. 4.

Both sides grope for solutions to budget, debt ceiling

The fight between President Obama, Democrats and Republicans is now a two-pronged fiscal confrontation to avoid a potential default after Oct. 17 on the nation's $16.7 trillion debt. What began for congressional Republicans as an effort to gut the health care law is now bigger. House Republicans are ...